DAY 14 - New Oath: Action Plan to Control Your Lusts (Please click here for English podcast)

Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace. Exhale your worries.

Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your week, all the times that made you smile

2.   Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people
3.   Open your heart to praise the Lord

           But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
               let them ever sing for joy,
           and spread your protection over them,
               that those who love your name may exult in you.
                                                 Psalm 5:11

Confession and repentance

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you:

     “Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

2.  Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:

     "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sin to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

The Word

  “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’  But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,  or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;anything more than this comes from evil. " Matthew 5:33-37

                                            

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

My Listening

              Yesterday's passage and today's is like Part 1 and Part 2, they go together. As I wrote yesterday, Jesus says there are two reasons for people to divorce. One is because we can't control our lusts and the other is we have no integrity and do not keep our marriage oath. He is actually giving a new and true understanding of what the No. 7 Commandment says "Do not commit adultery". If you want to keep your marriage vow, start with the first step to control your lust then you may have a better way to keep you marriage oath.       That's why Jesus links up with three things together: control your lusts, keep your marriage vow and no divorce.     There are other ways to look at oath other than the marriage oath in today's passage. But, we do not have time to discuss about that. The message I received from the Lord yesterday and today is to focus on the marriage oath.         Dear Lord Jesus,Help us to take action in order that we can keep our marriage vow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Reflect on these questions:

1. What do you think is the importance of the marriage oath? Does the oath still works now in this modern age?

2. Do you agree with what Jesus says of the three steps to bless our families: control your lusts, keep your marriage vow and no divorce? What has that to do with you?

3. Is there any action plan to protect and bless your own marriage and to help others? Can you think of some more similar situations that can ruin your marriage other than "lusts", say too much TV, computer, work, church activities etc.?

Family Corner:1. How can you share about the importance of the marriage oath to your children? 2. How can you share the struggle to keep this oath?

Praise and ThanksgivingLet's give thanks for God with us. Let us praise Him:10,000 Reasonshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E    Be with you    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGQpm3i3mXw     40 Days Break.Build daily devotion:     http://www.breakbuild.blogspot.ca/If you have an Android cel. please click this site to download an app. to listen in a users' friendly way:Discipler123: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.rec.appBreak.Build: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.bb.appWelcome to use my first blog: Read one chapter of Bible a day     http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/day-1-i-am-blind.html      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E     40 Days Break.Build daily devotion:     http://www.breakbuild.blogspot.ca/If you have an Android cel. please click this site to download an app. to listen in a users' friendly way:Discipler123: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.rec.appBreak.Build: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.bb.appWelcome to use my first blog: Read one chapter of Bible a day     http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/day-1-i-am-blind.html Today is our  DAY 64 in 2018 non stop Morning Prayer Monday through Friday 6:00am to 7:30am Thursday night 8pm to 9:30pm, Saturday 8am to 9:45am, Sunday 7:00am to 8:25amThe offering of our First Fruit every morning have changed lots of things: unity, lifestyle, character …and many more!     Also, we started to have a weekly Thursday TWA at 8p.m. two months ago, a weekly Friday TWA for moms with child care last Friday and a weekly TWA led by Pastoral Care School leader at 7p.m. four years ago.     Please find wonderful pictures of our TWA at Richmond Emmanuel Church:Daily copying the Bible and small groups praying in front of Janelle's wonderful painting "Story of God's salvation"     Ram horns sounding daily to welcome the presence of our might God and to open our souls to prepare receiving His message:     Three generations TWA worship:     Daily communion after TWA:     Parents praying with their daughter: (Rev. Ignatius Ng, Anna Ng and Zoe Glory Ng)     Mom's TWA: